On a quiet night in October 1997, the peaceful town of Bathurst in New South Wales was rocked by a terrible event.
Fifteen-year-old Jessica Small disappeared without a trace after getting into a car with a stranger.
Her disappearance has prompted a continuous search over the years, with a $1 million reward offered for any information leading to her whereabouts.
The Day She Went Missing
In the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 1997, 15-year-old Jessica Small was last seen leaving the 'Amuse Me' amusement center on Russell Street in Bathurst.
She was with a close friend, and the two girls were trying to hitchhike home.
They were really desperate, hoping for a ride that would take them to safety.
Their hope turned to fear when they got into a white sedan driven by a man.
As they drove, the man took a wrong turn and stopped the car on Hereford Street.
This street would soon be remembered as the scene of a terrible crime in their lives.
His intentions were clear and threatening as he tried to keep them trapped in the car.
Jessica’s friend, showing great bravery and quick thinking, managed to escape from their attacker.
She ran to nearby homes, urgently asking for help and telling them about the scary situation.
Despite her brave efforts, the man managed to drive away with Jessica in the car.
The last confirmed sighting of the white sedan was in a remote area near Duramana Road and Willott Close in Eglinton.
The vehicle was seen heading towards Hill End, disappearing into the night with Jessica’s fate unknown.
Since that fateful night, Jessica Small has not been seen or heard from again.
Ongoing Investigation and Latest Developments
Her sudden disappearance led to an extensive investigation, but the case stayed unsolved for years.
In 2014, Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Sharon Freund held a coronial inquest into Jessica’s disappearance.
Her findings suggested that Jessica was likely murdered.
This conclusion really upset her family and everyone who had hoped for a different result.
The NSW Government responded by announcing a reward of $100,000 in January 2015.
This reward was offered for any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Jessica’s murder.
The case was assigned to the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide Unit, now operating under the banner of Strike Force Carica II.
This special team was assigned to go over every detail of the case again, trying to find new clues and information about Jessica’s abduction and suspected murder.
Potential Person of Interest
A 43-year-old man was arrested in connection with Jessica Small’s case.
He was linked to the case by new evidence found during the investigation of old sexual assaults.
Cold case detectives, while re-examining evidence related to Jessica's abduction and suspected murder, discovered two alleged rapes that occurred in the Bathurst area in 1994 and 1996.
The suspect has been charged with two counts of sexual intercourse without consent related to these incidents.
The victims were 17 and 19 years old at the time of the assaults
However, he was not charged for Jessica’s abduction.
In a significant development, the NSW Government recently increased the reward to a substantial $1 million.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Troy Grant, highlighted the government’s commitment to solving this case and ensuring justice for Jessica.
Despite the passage of many years since Jessica’s abduction, authorities have remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice.
The car in question, although not highly distinctive, had some unique features.
Witnesses reported that the vehicle had noticeable holes in the passenger-side footwell, which allowed the friend to see the road during their ride.
Even after detailed forensic checks on many cars that matched the description, the exact vehicle is still missing.
The area where the car was last seen, Eglinton, is a relatively isolated region with many lonely roads at the time.
Investigators beleive the driver knew the area well and this helped him get away very fast.
The importance of this location, along with the type of crime, suggests that the driver’s knowledge of the area might hold key clues.
Detectives have interviewed hundreds of people over the years but are still hopeful that someone with new or overlooked information might come forward.
The reward is open to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Jessica Small’s disappearance and murder.
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit their website at [Crime Stoppers](https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au).
All information is kept confidential, and the public is reminded not to report crimes through NSW Police social media channels.
The search for justice continues, driven by the hope that someone, somewhere, holds the key to solving this tragic case and bringing closure to Jessica’s loved ones.
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